It is with great pleasure that the UAMS Arkansas Geriatric Education Collaborative (AGEC) announces its 2023-2024 selection for the Geriatric Student Scholars program – Melanie Beehler (College of Medicine), Margaret Boles (College of Health Professions), Holland Hardison (College of Health Professions), Lizeth Martinez-Lopez (College of Health Professions), and Jasmine Wilson (College of Pharmacy).
The purpose of the Student Scholars program (sponsored by AGEC) is to increase health professions students’ interest and exposure to older adults, to improve knowledge of older adults and the specialized care they need and to promote interprofessional collaboration among health professions students.
We are so excited to announce the Geriatric Student Scholars for FY 2024 to support emerging health professionals education and participation surrounding specialized needs for older adults, and to foster interprofessional collaboration in academic and clinical geriatrics. The goal of the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) is to enhance the quality of health care for elderly Arkansans through research, education and training. The Geriatric Student Scholars program is an excellent way to achieve this goal and mentor future healthcare team members.
AGEC Director, Robin McAtee, Ph.D., RN., FACHE
The Arkansas Geriatric Education Collaborative is a program of the University Of Arkansas for Medical Sciences – Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging. The collaborative is funded by a Health Resources and Services Administration grant of $3.7 million for a Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program.
Geriatric Student Scholars – Congrats!
Melanie Beehler (Third-year Medicine student)
Margaret Boles (Second-year Physician Assistant student)
Holland Hardison (Third-year Audiology student)
Lizeth Martinez-Lopez (Third-year Doctor of Physical Therapy student, NWA campus)
Jasmine Wilson (Fourth-year Pharmacy student)
Melanie Beehler is a third-year M.D. student in the College of Medicine at UAMS. She is from Pea Ridge, AR, and attended Lyon College in Batesville, AR for her undergraduate studies. She received a B.S. in both Biology and Chemistry. Melanie is the current Secretary of the UAMS Geriatric Interest Group and is completing the Honors in Research Program. Her volunteer work with Caring Hands Hospice helped foster a deeper passion for the aging population as well as a medical interest in their wellbeing. She is grateful for the opportunity to be an AGEC Geriatric Student Scholar to get a deeper insight into the ever-expanding field of geriatrics. Additionally, she is excited to work with an interdisciplinary team to help hone her collaboration skills.
Margaret Boles is a second-year student in the Physician Assistant Program. Prior to pursuing PA studies, she worked with a variety of patients in both the outpatient and inpatient settings as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. She grew up in Northeast Texas and is a proud Texas A&M Aggie! She has seen the power of encouragement and persistence in the geriatric population as she has helped them overcome physical setbacks. Margaret has also experienced the necessity of clarity when communicating with elderly patients, and in her rotations. She has already witnessed the importance of the time and sympathy advanced-practice clinicians provide when the physician has limited time. Margaret is excited to become a better advocate for the aging population with all of you!
Holland Hardison is a third year Doctor of Audiology student at UAMS. She is from Denham Springs, Louisiana and received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Southeastern Louisiana University. Through her experiences in the program, she has developed a passion for working with older adults and managing their hearing loss and balance disorders. Holland’s goal is to advocate for all healthcare professionals to provide holistic patient centered care for the geriatric population. She is grateful to have the opportunity to serve as a Geriatric Student Scholar and learn how to better serve older adults. Her future endeavors include working as a clinical audiologist and continuing to advocate for holistic care for older adults.
Lizeth Martinez-Lopez is a third-year physical therapy student at the UAMS Northwest campus. She was raised in Prairie Grove, AR, and attended the University of Arkansas obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. Outside of studying, Lizeth enjoys dancing to Mexican regional music, playing with her dog named Chiquita, and you can always find her at a family event on the weekends. Growing up in a Hispanic household, Lizeth has always been accustomed to a very fast-paced lifestyle where her family tends to thrive in chaos. Lizeth is rooted in her culture, and hopes to bring light to the geriatric community, as they hold a special place in her upbringing. As a first-generation college student, Lizeth has grown a passion for underrepresented communities, and is very grateful for the opportunity to be a Geriatric Student Scholar!
Jasmine Wilson is a 4th year pharmacy student at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She obtained her undergraduate education at the University of Central Arkansas with an emphasis in pre-pharmacy. Her interest in geriatrics stems from experience in her Internal Medicine rotation, which was her first time being directly involved with the care of the geriatric population. This experience reinforced to her that treatment with this special population can come with its challenges and she hopes to make an impact by advocating for geriatrics through her pharmacy knowledge. She is honored to be selected as an AGEC Geriatric Student Scholar and is motivated to learn how to provide the best quality of care as possible for these patients. On her free time, she enjoys leisurely walks in the park, discovering new food places to try, and most importantly, spending time with family and friends.